Treve has been made a best Evens for an unprecedented hat-trick in the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month after a highly-impressive victory in the Qatar Prix Vermeille on Trials Day at Longchamp on Sunday.
The French mare, winner of the Arc in each of the last two years, warmed up for the big middle-distance showdown by making amends for her eclipse in the Prix Vermeille last year when only fourth. Bookmakers reacted with typical ruthlessness, with Paddy Power and William Hill both now only offering 4/5 against Criquette Head-Maarek‘s brilliant five-year-old at Longchamp on October 4th.
She’s clearly as good as ever after her usual mid-term break and will probably start at very short odds on the day itself when her adoring public get stuck into the Pari-Mutuel – she’ll likely take all the beating if turning up in the same mood.
New Bay was also a significant mover in the Arc market after winning the Qatar Prix Niel on the same trials card in Paris – the colt is now a general 5/1 second favourite. New Bay won the Prix du Jockey Club at Longchamp in May and his trainer, Andre Fabre, has a terrific record in the Arc. While the three-year-old colt may not have beaten much, the manner of his victory was impressive and he’s probably still improving.
The UK challenge is likely to be headed by Postponed but he’s available at 20/1 with several bookmakers. The King George winner had to be ridden out to land the Qatar Prix Foy on Sunday, though he’s the type who only does as much as is required and the likely strong pace in the Arc should suit.
Saturday’s Irish Champion Stakes winner Golden Horn won’t be going to Paris if the ground is soft, however. The Epsom Derby winner lost his unbeaten record to Arabian Queen at York on ground with plenty of give and the latter was easily brushed aside by Treve at the weekend. His target is more likely to be the Champion Stakes at Ascot with John Gosden relying on Irish Derby winner Jack Hobbs (10/1 with Paddy Power) instead in Paris – you can still have a bet on Golden Horn at a general 7/1 if you wish.
